Tag Archives: Carrigaholt

A fire inspection at Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraidhe in Carrigaholt was due to take place on Wednesday evening, to determine if the 105-year-old building can open for its August intake of students on Sunday. Fifty children have enrolled for a two-week course in the Irish language from Sunday until August 13. Following concerns over fire safety, the college was forced to close in early June and all 25 students had to return home. There were no July classes but significant maintenance work has taken place in the intervening weeks. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, college principal Domhnall Ó Loingsigh said that Clare County Council was due to carry out a fire safety inspection, which would determine the immediate future of the historic college, which is located on the Shannon Estuary. The June and July closure was the first in the college’s history. “The council fire safety inspectors are the people who laid down the requirements and we’re following their recommendations to …

THERE was immense shock in Carrigaholt and the surrounding communities last Thursday, when it emerged that Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraidhe, which is the only Irish college in Clare, was forced to close due to Department of the Gaeltacht fire safety concerns. Approximately 25 students had commenced a summer course for the month of June but college principal Domhnall Ó Loingsigh had to contact parents, across the country, last Wednesday and Thursday to inform them that the month-long course had come to an abrupt halt. However, the principal and college board are confident that the college will reopen later this summer. The board has said that local politicians must take urgent action to ensure that the college is funded for the necessary repair works. In recent years, Ministers of State Joe McHugh, Dinny McGinley and, most recently, Michael Ring, at the invitation of Deputy Pat Breen, have either visited the college or met with representatives. However, the college’s appeal for funding, …

A woman left permanently disabled with severe back and other injuries after slipping on grapes while shopping in a Tesco store in Kilrush has been awarded €1.4m damages by a High Court judge. Mr Justice Anthony Barr made the award to Patricia Walsh (48), Shannondale Stud, Rehy, Carrigaholt, over the incident in the Tesco store at Kilrush, on August 28th 2012. A stay applies on the award pending an appeal on condition €500,000 is paid out now, plus 75% of Ms Walsh’s legal costs. Ms Walsh, represented by Edward Walsh SC and Pat Quinn SC, instructed by Carmody & Co Solicitors, sued Tesco Ireland which admitted liability on the first day of the case. It ran for seven days and involved evidence from 15 doctors among others. In his detailed judgment, the judge said it was clear, as a result of the fall, Ms Walsh suffered a serious injury to the muscles and ligaments of her lower back which caused …

ICSA Rural Development chairman Seamus Sherlock has expressed concerns for the health and well-being of vulnerable farmers, who are experiencing difficulties coping with bad prices and the recent bad weather. Mr Sherlock was speaking ahead of a meeting on Rural Isolation and Mental Health in farming to be held in Carrigaholt on this Thursday evening. “ICSA understands what these farmers are going through and we will support them through these difficult times. The reality of the situation is often very different to public opinion. Poor prices coupled with high costs makes farming very difficult and stressful. Bad weather is also placing a very heavy burden on already struggling farmers”, said Mr Sherlock. “The fodder crisis of 2013 is still ingrained in many farmers’ minds and I hope lessons have been learned by government so that this will never be allowed to develop again. I am looking forward to meeting the people of west Clare on Thursday night and I will …

Imogen, the latest in a spate of storms, is lashing the Clare coastline today (Monday). With high winds on the back of high tides, damage has been caused in the Kilkee area and Carrigaholt, near the Irish College.  Clare Champion photographer John Kelly is out and about recording the progress of the storm.   [doptg id=”96″]

CARRIGAHOLT village came to a standstill on Wednesday afternoon for the funeral of Bernie Mahoney, Moveen, who died in a drowning accident on Sunday morning in Poulnasherry Bay. As he was brought to St Mary’s Church in the West Clare fishing village, Mr Mahoney was flanked by a guard of honour from O’Curry’s GAA Club, whom he represented for many years. In his late 30s, Mr Mahoney, a father of three, whose youngest child was due to be baptised last Sunday, was one of four people, including his brother, oyster collecting when tragedy struck. His three friends were rescued by brothers, Roger and Stephen Little, who live in Carnacalla, Kilrush. The brothers, who are experienced boats people, were alerted when their dogs barked incessantly at hearing calls for help, close to 3am on Sunday. “It was just pure luck. We came home at the right time,” Roger Little, who works as a tug boat captain for Dublin Port, explained. “I …

THE final Strictly Come Dancing will take place in the Armada Hotel on Saturday, November 22 and again the following Saturday, November 29. This will represent the fourth staging of the event, which raises money for the provision of the building of house in Cherven, Belarus, for young adults who have left the nearby orphanage. Primary organiser, Edel Smith has been involved in helping the Cherven orphans for many years. This final series of Strictly will result in the finishing touches on the house in Belarus. Ten couples have dedicated their time and energy over the past few months to prepare for Strictly, while Christina Cawte has given her time and energy over the past four years in helping the dancers to get ready. “She is such a brilliant person, who strives so hard to bring out the best in all our couples. Christina is an amazing choreographer, who should be so proud of what she has accomplished. Charlie Killeen …

JENNY Carway has served as a marine rescue volunteer in Kilkee for 18 years. Living on the Carrigaholt side of Kilkee, she is the longest-serving member of the Irish Coastguard Unit but that’s not all what that distinguishes Jenny from her colleagues. Her accent is somewhat Irish but not completely. A simple question resulted in an intriguing response. “I’m a blow-in. I’m originally from Somalia,” Jenny replied. Her background is fascinating. “My grandparents were Irish. We lived in Uganda through Idi Amin’s time and we had to leave. My brothers were in boarding school in Ireland and my parents decided to give Ireland a go so we came here. We lived in Limerick and I’d come to Kilkee as a kid for summer holidays. So I just came down here and stayed here since. I came here diving. I enjoy it. It’s a great place to live,” she surmised. Jenny left Africa when she was 11. She has yet to …